Candida is an overgrowth of yeast throughout the body. Yeasts are parasitic organisms that absorb our nutrients and produce toxic waste. Our bodies are supposed to have what is called "friendly bacteria" in our colon. They are part of our immune system and act as protective shields for our body – their main function is to keep bad bacteria from entering the body. However, Candida yeast can eventually evolve from a yeast form into a fungal form – very long, root-like structures called rhizoids that puncture the intestinal lining, leading to a condition called leaky gut syndrome. This creates holes in the digestive tract, allowing many foreign and toxic substances to pass into the bloodstream. When undigested food particles leak through these holes and enter the bloodstream, the body views them as foreign invaders.

The candida organisms that pass through the blood stream have been found to produce over 70 known toxins that will poison and strain the major organs in the body – including the liver, kidneys, heart, colon, bladder, and central nervous system. The ability to absorb and digest the necessary nutrients from foods eaten is cut in half. Among the toxins produced is acetaldehyde, a poison that is converted by the liver into alcohol. As alcohol builds up in the system, symptoms associated with alcohol intoxication develop. This is why one of the most common symptoms of candida is brain fog.

Many people with candida digest less than 50% of their food, because the yeast overgrowth can create a digestive conflict that robs their bodies of nutrition. It is not surprising that candida sufferers are constantly hungry. Candida creates chaos in the intestines – traditional doctors have little or no answer to the causes of the resulting diseases and can use only medicines to treat them. All immunological weaknesses and infectious conditions are made worse by the presence of candida throughout the body. Also the foods on which candida thrives are a common part of the typical modern day diet – starchy, sugary, refined flours, and lots of carbohydrates. Sound familiar? Pizza, cookies, cakes, French fries, breads, crackers, cheese, fruit juices, coffee, tea, and alcohol are not only a favorite of your diet, but also of candida's too.

Most holistic experts agree that the alarming number of people who suffer from candida is due to the over-prescribed use of antibiotics, which kills not only the bacteria we want to get rid of, but also the good bacteria in the digestive tract. Other drugs that can upset the balance include anti-inflammatories, cortisone, and birth control pills. Poor diet (too many refined carbohydrates), stress, and nutrient deficiencies can also lead to an imbalance.